“We just want to remind people that taking an extra few seconds to ensure their alarms are working properly can save lives,” fire chief Bruce Burrell said.

This year’s “a sound you can live with” theme is the biggest alarm blitz in the city’s history, according to officials, and crews will be visiting hundreds of homes throughout the week.

Homeowner Wendy Klywak said she is grateful for the safety tips, having learned that there should be one fire alarm per floor in residences.

“I always knew you have to change the batteries twice a year, but they taught me some other things,” she said.

“It’s good to know because homes can catch fire so quickly.”

This year, the province was in attendance for the city’s kickoff, and Alberta’s fire commissioner, Trent West, echoed the importance of alarm awareness as he helped install an alarm in a northeast home.